- Osteoarthritis Overview Slideshow Pictures
- Osteoarthritis Tips for Living Better Daily Slideshow
- Exercises for OA of the Knee Slideshow
- What is tolmetin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
- Is tolmetin available as a generic drug?
- Do I need a prescription for tolmetin?
- What are the side effects of tolmetin?
- What is the dosage for tolmetin?
- Which drugs or supplements interact with tolmetin?
- Is tolmetin safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
- What else should I know about tolmetin?
What is tolmetin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
Tolmetin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is effective in treating fever, pain, and inflammation in the body. It is similar to ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil), naproxen (Naprosyn), and others. As a group, NSAIDs are non-narcotic relievers of mild to moderate pain of many causes, including injury, menstrual cramps, arthritis, and other musculoskeletal conditions. They work by reducing the levels of prostaglandins, chemicals that are responsible for pain, fever, and inflammation. Tolmetin blocks the enzyme that makes prostaglandins (cyclooxygenase), resulting in lower concentrations of prostaglandins. As a consequence, inflammation, pain and fever are reduced. The FDA approved Tolectin in March 1976.
What are the side effects of tolmetin?
Most patients benefit from tolmetin and other NSAIDs with few side effects. However, serious side effects can occur, and generally tend to be dose related. Therefore, it is advisable to use the lowest effective dose to minimize side effects. The most common side effects of tolmetin involve the gastrointestinal system, and these include:
- ulcerations,
- abdominal pain,
- cramping,
- nausea,
- gastritis,
- serious gastrointestinal bleeding,
- liver toxicity,
- stomach ulceration
- black tarry stools, and
- weakness.
Tolmetin should be avoided by patients with a history of asthma, hives, or other allergic reactions to aspirin or other NSAIDs. Rare but severe allergic reactions have been reported in such individuals. It also should be avoided by patients with peptic ulcer disease or poor kidney function, since this medication can aggravate both conditions.
Other important side effects include:
- heart attacks
- strokes
- accumulation of fluid, and
- increased chance ofheart failure.
Tolmetin may cause or worsen high blood pressure and kidney failure.
What is the dosage for tolmetin?
The recommended dose is 200-600 mg three times daily. The maximum daily dose is 1800 mg. Tolmetin should be taken with food and 8-12 ounces of water to avoid stomach upset.
Which drugs or supplements interact with tolmetin?
Tolmetin is generally used with caution in patients taking blood thinning medications (anticoagulants), such as warfarin (Coumadin), because of an increased risk of bleeding. Patients taking lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid) or methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall) can develop toxic blood levels of either drug because tolmetin may inhibit their elimination from the body by the kidney. Side effects from cyclosporine also may be increased by tolmetin. Tolmetin may reduce the effectiveness of antihypertensives because it causes or worsens high blood pressure. NSAIDs may diminish the antihypertensive effect of ACE inhibitors.
Combining NSAIDs with angiotensin receptor blockers (for example, valsartan [Diovan], losartan [Cozaar], irbesartan [Avapro]) or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (for example, enalapril [Vasotec], captopril [Capoten]) in patients who are elderly, volume-depleted (including those on diuretic therapy), or with poor kidney function may result in reduced kidney function, including kidney failure. These effects usually are reversible.
Persons who have more than three alcoholic beverages per day are at increased risk of developing stomach ulcers when taking tolmetin or other NSAIDs.
Is tolmetin safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Tolmetin is generally avoided during pregnancy.
Tolmetin is excreted in breast milk. To avoid adverse effects in the infant, nursing mothers should decide whether to stop nursing or stop tolmetin.
What else should I know about tolmetin?
What preparations of tolmetin are available?
Tablets or capsules: 200, 400, and 600 mg
How should I keep tolmetin stored?
Tolmetin should be stored at room temperature in a sealed container and protected from moisture.
Quick GuideOsteoarthritis (OA): Treatment, Symptoms, Diagnosis

Summary
tolmetin (Tolectin [Discontinued Brand]) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) prescribed for the treatment of inflammation and pain that results from rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis, or osteoarthritis. Side effects, drug interactions, dosing, and pregnancy safety information should be reviewed prior to taking this medication.
Related Disease Conditions
-
Ankle Pain
Ankle pain is commonly due to a sprain or tendinitis. The severity of ankle sprains ranges from mild (which can resolve within...
-
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that causes chronic inflammation of the spine. The tendency to develop ankylosing...
-
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis)
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or JRA) annually affects one child in every thousand. There are six...
-
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs and Ulcers
Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed medications for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. Examples of...
-
Osteoarthritis (OA)
Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis caused by inflammation, breakdown, and eventual loss of cartilage in the joints. Also...
-
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a disease that causes skin and joint inflammation. Symptoms include painful, stiff, and swollen joints,...
-
Reactive Arthritis
Reactive arthritis is a chronic, systemic rheumatic disease characterized by three conditions, including conjunctivitis, joint...
-
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints, the tissue around the joints,...
-
SAPHO Syndrome
SAPHO syndrome is a chronic disorder that involves the skin, bone, and joints. SAPHO syndrome is an eponym for the combination of...
-
Arthritis
Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints. When joints are inflamed they can develop stiffness, warmth, swelling, redness...
-
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is pain (an unpleasant sense of discomfort) that persists or progresses over a long period of time. In contrast to...
-
Pain Management
Pain management and treatment can be simple or complex, according to its cause. There are two basic types of pain, nociceptive...
Treatment & Diagnosis
- Medication Disposal
- Dangers of Mixing Medications
- How To Reduce Your Medication Costs
- Pharmacy Visit, How To Get The Most Out of Your Visit
- Indications for Drugs: Approved vs. Non-approved
- Drugs: Buying Prescription Drugs Online Safely
- Drugs: The Most Common Medication Errors
- Generic Drugs, Are They as Good as Brand-Names?
Medications & Supplements
- flurbiprofen (Ansaid is a discontinued brand)
- sulindac, Clinoril
- diflunisal, Dolobid
- indomethacin, Indocin, Indocin-SR (Discontinued Brand in U.S.)
- etodolac, Lodine (Discontinued)
- ibuprofen (Advil, Children's Advil/Motrin, Medipren, Motrin, Nuprin, PediaCare Fever, and others)
- fenoprofen, Nalfon
- naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan, Naprosyn)
- celecoxib (Celebrex)
- Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
- Drugs: Questions to Ask Your Doctor or Pharmacist about Your Drugs
- Drug Interactions
- valdecoxib, Bextra
- Aspirin vs. NSAIDs (Side Effect and Use Differences)
Prevention & Wellness
From 
Arthritis resources
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.